ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Law and Justice
Shri Justice Rajesh Bindal to perform duties of the office of the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court from 29th April
The President of India in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, appointed Shri Justice Rajesh Bindal, senior-most Judge of Calcutta High Court, to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice of that High Court with effect from 29th April, 2021 following the retirement of Shri Justice Thottathil Bhaskaran Nair Radhakrishnan, Chief Justice, Calcutta High Court. A notification in this regard has been issued by Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice today.
Shri Justice Rajesh Bindal, B.Com., LL.B, enrolled as an Advocate on September 14, 1985. He practised in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and Central Administrative Tribunal, in Taxation, Constitutional, Civil and Service cases. His field of specialization was Taxation matters. He worked as Standing Counsel for I.T Department, various Central and State Government organisations. He was appointed as a Permanent Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on March 22, 2006. He was transferred to Common High Court for Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union territory of Ladakh on 19.11.2018. He was appointed as Acting Chief Justice of Common High Court for Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union territory of Ladakh on 09.12.2020. He was transferred to Calcutta High Court on 05.01.2021.
RKJ/M
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Ministry of Railways
Cabinet approves signing of Memorandum of Understanding between India and Bolivia in the field of Railways
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding on the cooperation between India and Bolivia on cooperation regarding Bioceanic Railway Integration Corridor Project.
The MoU will facilitate exchange of information, expert meetings, seminars, technical visits and implementation of jointly agreed cooperation projects.
The MoU was signed in March, 2019.
Prime Minister's Office
PM in Pune: About the Shila Mandir at Dehu
Pune | June 14, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today dedicated to the nation the Shila Mandir - a rock temple in honour of the 17th century saint, Sant Tukaram at Dehu near Pune. Shri Modi also interacted with warkaris, the devotees of Sant Tukaram who undertake the wari or holy pilgrimage to Pandharpur in Maharashtra.
Built with a special type of Rajasthani stone, Shila Mandir is a temple dedicated to a slab of stone  on which Sant Tukaram had meditated for 13 days. Devotees of Tukaram, the warkaris, offer prayers at the Shila Temple before starting their pilgrimage to Pandharpur.
A new idol of Sant Tukaram has also been installed in the temple near the ‘Shila Mandir' which was also unveiled by the Prime Minister.
The 17th century Bhakti poet and Saint Tukaram was famous for his devotional poetry known as 'abhangas' and spiritual songs known as 'kirtanas'. His work are central to the Warkari sect in Maharastra. Dehu, on the banks of the Indrayani River is the birth place of the poet saint.
Meanwhile, the Centre has taken up infrastructure upgradation work on key sections of Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg as well as Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Marg. Dedicated walkways are being constructed alongside the highways to ease the movement of warkaris undertaking the pilgrimage to Pandharpur.
Cabinet
Cabinet apprised of Progress under NHM and Decisions of Empowered Programme Committee and Mission Steering Group of NHM
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been apprised of the Progress and new initiatives under National Health Mission  and the Decisions of the Empowered Programme Committee and Mission Steering Group of NHM.
Salient Features:
The outcomes achieved under the NHM during the last five years and during the year 2017-18 are:
- Decline by 2.7% in the Maternal Mortality Ratio  to 130 during 2014-16 from 178 during 2010-12;
- Decline in the Infant Mortality Rate  to 34 in 2016 as compared to 44 in 2011. The annual rate of decline of IMR between 2015 and 2018 was 8.1%;
- Decline in the Under 5 Mortality Rate  to 39 in 2016 from 55 in 2011. The U5MR annual rate of decline during 2015-16 was 9.3%;
- Decline in the Total Fertility Rate  to 2.3% in 2016. The percentage annual compound rate of decline in TFR during 2011-16 has been observed as 1.7%; and
Further various diseases-related health indicators have also shown improvement, such as:
- In respect of Malaria, the Annual Parasite Incidence  declined to 0.84 in 2016 from 1.10 in 2011. In 2017 malaria incidence went down by 30% and deaths due to malaria decreased by 70%;
- The incidence of Tuberculosis  per 1 lakh population has been reduced to 204 in 2017, from 234 in 2013. Incidence of TB per lakh population has been reduced to 204 in 2017 from 211 in 2016. Mortality due to TB per lakh population for India reduced to 21 in 2017 from 32 in 2016;
- The target of prevalence of leprosy <1/one lakh population has been achieved nationally. The number of districts that achieved elimination of leprosy has increased from 554 in 2017 to 571 by March 2018;
- Incidence of Kala Azar was to reduce it to less than 1 case per 10000 population in all blocks. The number of endemic blocks with prevalence of more than 1 case per 10000 population has been reduced to 72 in 2017, from 94 in 2016; and
- Reduction of diseases attributable to Tobacco use, like 4 major Non-Communicable Diseases  namely Cancers, diabetes, Stroke and Cardiovascular diseases, and chronic lung diseases has been achieved through measures for bringing down prevalence of tobacco use by 6% average points, to 28.6% in 2016-17 from 34.6% in 2009-10.
Election Commission
ECI convenes meeting with Social Media Platforms;
IAMAI and Social Media Intermediaries Willingly Agree to come up with a Code of Ethics for the Industry Laying Down Operational Details
Election Commission of India today had in-depth interactive session with representatives of various Social Media Platforms and Internet and Mobile Association of India  on the usage of Social Media ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2019.
In his opening remarks, Chief Election Commissioner Shri Sunil Arora cited Model Code of Conduct as a unique and historic document which is followed by all political parties /entities from the date of declaration of schedule of elections till the election process is concluded. This Code is the outcome of consensus evolved amongst the different Political Parties and ECI. Infact, more often than not, this Code has obviated the need for application of more stringent provisions of law, he said. Shri Arora exhorted the Social Media Organizations, who are formidable force-multipliers, to come up with a similar Code for the ongoing election process in the immediate context and a lasting document in the long run.
Election Commissioner Shri Ashok Lavasa pointed out that today's has been a momentous meeting for evolution of ‘behaviour’ of Social Media platforms on Social Media. He said that voluntary restraint is a hallmark of civilized society and works as effectively as any regulation. He suggested that a clear clause on users' voluntarily agreeing not to misuse social media platforms for election or political purposes should be considered by the management.
Election Commissioner Shri Sushil Chandra reminded the representatives that Election Commission of India is committed to ethical, free & fair elections. He reiterated that role of social media in helping spread information as well as curbing misinformation cannot be underestimated. He added that deterrents like some punitive action against users misusing the platform should be considered pro-actively. Shri Chandra said that a participative approach from the social media platforms would greatly help ECI meet its objectives.
The meeting was centered on discussing issues like appointment of dedicated grievance channel for expeditious action by the organizations, pre- certification and transparency in expenditure of political advertisements. The meeting also focused on evolving a notification mechanism by social media platforms for acting upon the violations of Section 126 of R.P. Act, 1951 and preventing misuse of these platforms.
Today's meeting was attended by the industry head Internet and Mobile Association of India  and representatives from social media organizations such as Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter, Google, ShareChat, TikTok and BigoTV.
IAMAI and Social Media intermediaries willingly agreed to come up with a ‘Code of Ethics’ for the Industry laying down operational details by tomorrow evening.
SBS/MR/ac
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Ministry of Civil Aviation
34 green zone sites approved for NPNT compliant drone operations
Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted permit to "No-Permission-No-Takeoff'  compliant drone operations at 34 additional green zones to facilitate, smoothen, and promote drone operations in the country. The approved sites allow drone usage up to 400 ft Above Ground Level . These zones are in addition to the twenty-six green zone sites approved dated 02 Feb 2021 and six green zone sites approved dated 03 Apr 2020.
As per DGCA, “NPNT or ‘No Permission – No Take-off’ compliance enables every Remotely Piloted Aircraft  to obtain a valid permission through Digital Sky platform before operating in India. This further allows non operationalization of drones prior to necessary approvals. Flying in these approved ‘green-zones’ will require only intimation of the time and location of the flights via the Digital Sky portal or the app.
The framework mandates users to register on an online portal which acts as the national unmanned traffic management system for remotely piloted aircraft.
Drone flights in the green zone sites shall be compliant with the applicable conditions of Unmanned Aircraft System  Rules, 2021. The concerned State Governments and Local Administrations are requested to facilitate operations of NPNT-compliant drones in the mentioned sites.
Click here for the list of green zone sites.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
G-20 theme based Workshop organized in Jabalpur on Agriculture Infrastructure Fund , Madhya Pradesh Farm Gate App and participation of Women entrepreneurs in the Agriculture sector
On the occasion of India's presidency in G-20, through the theme 'One Earth, One Family, One Future', with the aim of encouraging the sense of global unity and increasing the participation of women in the field of agriculture, a one-day workshop was organized in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh today on the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund , Madhya Pradesh Farm Gate App and participation of Women entrepreneurs in the Agriculture sector. The main objective of this workshop was to seek participation of more women in the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund  and MP Farm Gate.
Smt. G.V. Rashmi, Managing Director, Mandi Board, in her address, gave information related to the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund  in Madhya Pradesh, as well as highlighted the features of MP Farmgate App launched by the Mandi Board.
Professor PK Mishra, Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University, Jabalpur, in his speech, said that the AIF scheme has spread out widely in Madhya Pradesh. Till date, 2,753 projects have been set up by Women entrepreneurs, availing the benefits of the AIF scheme widely. Madhya Pradesh is at the first position in the outreach of this scheme as compared to other states. He gave detailed information about the scheme.
Participating in the workshop, Shri Ashok Varnwal, Additional Chief Secretary, Madhya Pradesh Government, Agriculture Department, while highlighting the important role of MP Farm Gate App, said farmers are getting fair price for selling their produce on the app and women are able to buy and sell the produce by bidding from the comforts of their home without going to the market.
Madhya Pradesh Agriculture Minister Shri Kamal Patel, in his online message, conveyed his best wishes to all the participants attending the workshop, saying that they should make widespread use of the AIF scheme and MP Farm Gate App.
Around 300 participants attended the workshop. Information on the AIF scheme was shared by the experts from the Agriculture Department, NABARD, Horticulture, APEDA, banks and other institutions.
Doubts were resolved by giving succinct answers to the questions of the participants during the question-answer session as part of the workshop and information about the MP Farmgate app was also given to women farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, traders etc.
Ms. Pooja Singh, Deputy Director, AIF gave detailed information about the AIF scheme. In relation to the MP Farm Gate App, Shri Musharraf Sultan, Technical Director, NIC Bhopal, Shri Yogesh Nagle, Assistant Director, Mandi Board and Shri Sandeep Choubey, Chief Programmer, gave detailed information about the MP Farm Gate App.
At the end of the workshop, vote of thanks was delivered by Shri Anand Mohan Sharma, Joint Director, Zonal Office of Madhya Pradesh State Agricultural Marketing Board, Jabalpur. Women entrepreneurs and farmers of Jabalpur region participated in the workshop.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
NE Region will emerge as a favourite Tourist and Trade destination in India in the post-COVID era: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Union Minister of State  Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that North Eastern Region will emerge as a favourite Tourist and Trade destination in India in the post-COVID era. Speaking as the Chief Guest in the 8th edition of North East Festival organized virtually, he said that North-Eastern Region will take a lead for India to emerge as an economic power with the support of its huge natural and human skill resources. He said the region will work as a "new engine" to the economy and added that it will emerge as an alternative to the European tourist destinations by virtually remaining pandemic free, when others parts of the world were infested with virus.
Dr Jitendra Singh expressed hope that holiday lovers from the next season will definitely prefer NE region for its pristine natural beauty over other global tourist destinations. He also added that NE will stand for New Engine of growth for India, when rest of world is looking for economic resurgence through trade in post-pandemic times.
He said that the region will exploit its vast untapped natural resources including Bamboo that could propel Atmanirbhar Abhiyan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by imbibing “Vocal for Local” mantra. Dr Jitendra Singh said that recently the Central Government raised the import duty by 25 percent on raw bamboo items, which will help the domestic bamboo industries like furniture, handicrafts and Agarbatti making in a big way and promote use of bamboo as building material. He also referred to the amendment in the 100-year-old Indian Forest Act brought about by the Modi government in 2017, as a result of which, home grown bamboo has been exempted from it in order to enhance livelihood opportunities through bamboo.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that there has been a significant development in terms of Road, Rail and Air connectivity, helping facilitate the movement of goods and persons not only across the region but also across the country. He said that the youth of the region has become more aspirational in recent times and will play an important role to take the region to greater economic heights.
Referring to the Act East policy of the government, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the North Eastern Region has a special role to play in the promotion of trade and business relations with ASEAN as it is the gateway to the growing economies of South East Asian Nations. He said, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has changed the policy of “Look East” to “Act East” to take the bilateral cooperation to newer heights.
Chief Ministers of Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Sikkim and senior Ministers and Officials of the North Eastern States joined the meeting. Foreign Secretary Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla also delivered the special address.
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SNC
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Ministry of Finance
Government of India cancels the auction of dated security scheduled on February 18, 2022
On review of the Government of India’s cash position, it has been decided, in consultation with Reserve Bank of India, to cancel auction of all the securities scheduled to be held on February 18, 2022 as per the issuance calendar dated September 27, 2021 for Government of India Dated Securities during Second Half of the current Financial Year.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan calls for Switching to 100% Clean Fuels for Prime Tourist Cities; Addresses Meet on World Tourism Day
On the occasion of the World Tourism Day, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today addressed a virtual meet on the theme of “Tourism and rural development”, along with Minister of State  for Tourism Shri Prahlad Singh Patel.
Minister Pradhan commended the Ministry of Tourism for its novel initiative ‘DekhoApnaDesh’ that promotes and encourages local heritage and tourist sites. He spoke about India's rich culture, history and ancient architectural marvels which offer immense scope for the growth of tourism industry. Talking about Internet’s role in making the world a global village, Shri Pradhan called for effective use of technology to further strengthen India's position as a global tourist hotspot.
Shri Pradhan said that tourism industry offers unprecedented potential for employment generation and empowerment of our youth, also in the rural areas. He said that every district of our country has a historic story to share or a legend to narrate, and as India celebrates 75 years of independence in 2022, we must work on creating more tourism sites around the heroism of our freedom fighters.
Minister Pradhan called for weaving sustainability with tourism and collaborating to switch prime tourist cities to 100% clean fuels, which will further help protect our monuments and ensure a cleaner environment for the tourists.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update - Day 314
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 120 crore landmark milestone
More than 74 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 120 Crore landmark milestone  today. More than 74 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10383021
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9446508
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18377462
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
16404907
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
450246855
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
207390815
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
182677772
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
115754422
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
114403535
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
76639999
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
776088645
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
425636651
|
|
Total
|
|
1201725296
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 25th November, 2021 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
143
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
8977
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
224
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
19310
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1590921
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
3589582
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
401697
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1054788
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
253530
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
540647
|
|
1st Dose Administered in Total
|
|
2246515
|
|
2nd Dose Administered in Total
|
|
5213304
|
|
Total
|
|
7459819
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launches revamped Gallantry Awards Portal to honour the immortal contribution of the fearless Gallantry Awardees of India; Urges people to participate in ‘Gallantry Awards Quiz’ and ‘Selfie for Bravehearts’
Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh launched a revamped version of the Gallantry Awards Portal www.gallantryawards.gov.in today on the eve of the Republic Day 2021. This Portal will serve as a one-stop virtual platform to honour the immortal contribution of the fearless Gallantry Awardees of India. Nationwide Quiz and ‘Selfie For Bravehearts’ Initiatives were also launched on the portal.
Since our nation’s independence, our brave men and women have displayed exemplary courage and devotion for the nation. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India has accorded topmost priority to honour the immortal contribution of its Bravehearts for protecting the unity and integrity of our nation. Launching of a revamped Gallantry Awards Portal is a key initiative undertaken in this regard.
Speaking during the launch program, Raksha Mantri hailed the significant role played by the Gallantry Awardees of India in not only securing our nation but also inspiring the future generations of the country to contribute for protecting our motherland. He further stated that in the coming years, the Gallantry Awards Portal shall transform as an interactive, participative and dynamic platform that shall instill a sense of patriotism and devotion among the citizens especially the Yuva Shakti of the nation. Recalling some of the initiatives like the implementation of OROP and building of National War Memorial, Shri Rajnath Singh said the government has been doing everything to acknowledge the contributions of our veterans and martyrs.
Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar said that the revamped website has new enriched content, graphics and participative features aimed towards celebrating valour of Armed Forces in India, to provide a wholesome experience to the user and to develop an ecosystem for honouring the contribution of martyrs in nation-building.
On the occasion of the launch of the revamped Gallantry Awards Portal, a nationwide Gallantry Awards Quiz has also been initiated on the Portal platform. This quiz aims to provide an opportunity to the bright minds from across the nation to showcase their knowledge about the Gallantry Awardees of India. This program shall be organised from 26 January 2021 to 26 February 2021. Another initiative, ‘Selfie for Bravehearts’ was also launched which encourages and invites citizens to click their selfie images in front of war memorials and monuments across the country and show their support for the Gallantry Awardees of the nation. Raksha Mantri urged people to participate in the Quiz competition and Selfie initiative.
Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria and other senior officials from MoD were also present on the occasion.